He was frustrated after repeatedly calling the customer services number but getting none of his calls, never mind questions, answered. And it seems there is no other way to contact the supermarket by phone.

He said: 'I have been trying for days to get through to the Northwich store to check stock availability before I travel into town.

'On the one occasion someone actually answered the phone they hung up immediately without even saying 'hello'. For a store the size of Tesco it is just not good enough.'

A member of Tesco's central customer services team admitted it was a problem. He said: 'We have the same problem contacting stores, whether it is Northwich or any other.

'Calls go to the staff at the customer services desk in store. If they don't answer they must be are very busy.'